Preston

Parker

Stroughter injured his left foot on a kickoff return Sunday. Look for Preston Parker and Micheal Spurlock to fill in as depth at receiver and kick returners for the next month or so.

Stroughter is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks. Parker handled himself well yesterday, catching four passes for 44 yards as the Bucs went pass-heavy in the second half. However, the Bucs will use many more two-wide sets in normal situations and Parker isn’t a great talent. Only extreme deep leaguers should be monitoring his progress.

We’re not going to pin Parker’s struggles entirely on him, but the Niners’ man coverage was going to be more difficult for him to beat regardless of Josh Freeman’s struggles. Keep an eye on him in deep PPR leagues, but until he can prove his consistency owners should look elsewhere.

His return is a concern for fill-in slot receiver Preston Parker, who was already only about a 40-percent player on offense. Stroughter, who’s been out since Week 1, was previously the Bucs’ first-team slot man. While Parker has played well enough that he could conceivably run with the job, any threat to his already shaky playing time should be a worry for fantasy owners.

The Bucs’ slot receiver a year ago, Parker flirted with the fantasy radar in 2011 due largely to the fact that no other Tampa wideouts could get open. That’s going to change with Vincent Jackson in Pewter this year. Parker is still an asset for the Buccaneers, but he won’t be a fantasy pick in 2012.

Both will earn $540,000 in 2012 and enter restricted free agency in 2013. Blount, 25, will lose his role as the Buccaneers’ featured back due to a crippling lack of versatility. Tampa Bay is expected to strongly consider Alabama RB Trent Richardson at the No. 5 overall pick, and could also sign a free agent passing-down ace such as Mike Tolbert. Parker beat out Sammie Stroughter for Tampa’s slot receiver role last year and should keep the job.

With Arrelious Benn (neck) sidelined, Parker got plenty of chances as the Bucs fell behind 42-0. The second-year slot receiver responded with his best game since Week 2. Parker’s season ends with 40 catches for 554 yards and three touchdowns. He projects as a No. 4/5 receiver and returner for the Bucs going forward.

Benn is essentially sharing time and targets with Preston Parker (3-35) and Dezmon Briscoe (3-20). It’s an obvious fantasy situation to avoid.

Parker returned to a full practice Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday, so he’s on track to play against the Falcons on Sunday. Parker has cleared 50 yards just three times all year while totaling 36 receptions for 480 yards and three touchdowns in his second NFL season.

Parker signed a one-year, $540,000 deal in April, but is now signed through 2013. A $50,000 signing bonus is the only guaranteed part of his contract, and in a savvy move, the Bucs essentially bought out his 2013 restricted free agent year at less than the RFA tender would have been. Parker is coming off a 40/554/3 campaign, but should be in for a reduced role following Tampa’s signing of Vincent Jackson. He’ll likely focus on returns this season.